Wheeled transporting device with telescoping leg stabilization

ABSTRACT

A compactable wheeled transport system with a first pivotal shelf for ease of transporting a first object in a first mode of operation. A compactable wheeled transport system with a second pivotal shelf for use as a work surface and support a second object thereon. Additionally, a pivotal foot is disclosed for stabilization of the system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of, andincorporates by reference the entire disclosure of, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/986,239, filed on Nov. 11, 2004. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/986,239 claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/626,703, filed Nov. 10, 2004, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/600,743, filed Aug. 11, 2004, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/519,169, filed Nov. 11, 2003. Thispatent application also incorporates by reference the entire disclosureof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/626,703, 60/600,743, and60/519,169.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to wheeled transport systems, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wheeled transportsystem incorporating at least one pivotally mounted, telescoping leg andtransversely angulated foot assembly in conjunction with a pivotal worksurface for the stabilization thereof.

2. History of the Related Art

Lap top computers and similar devices have been developed to enablebusiness travelers to perform other work tasks while traveling. Despitetheir convenience, they are not truly comfortable to use on one's lap.In an airplane, this discomfort may be alleviated by the use of thefolding tray tables with which aircraft seats are equipped. But inairport waiting rooms and hotel lobbies, where travelers necessarilyspend a significant amount of time, there are no suitable work surfaceswhere lap top computers may be placed and used.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,796B1, incorporated herein by reference, provides asubstantial improvement over previous designs. A luggage carrier, asdescribed therein, includes a work surface pivotally extendable from aframe. The work surface is supported at one end by the frame and at theopposite end by one or more telescopic legs.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/519,169 entitled“Wheeled Transporting Device,” herein incorporated by reference,provides yet additional improvements over previous designs. A luggagecarrier, as described therein, includes a work surface pivotallyextendible from a frame, with the frame stabilized by an extendible leg.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wheeled transporting devices. Moreparticularly, one embodiment includes a combined desk and articlecarrier assembly adapted for multiple modes of operation. One embodimentincludes three modes, comprising a first collapsed mode for both storageand mobility, a second, semi-collapsed mode for transporting at leastone article and for serving as a work desk in an expanded third mode.The assembly comprises a frame having upper and lower ends, the lowerend having wheels and the upper end of the frame, including a handleupwardly telescopic relative thereto for facilitating the mobility ofthe frame on the wheels thereof. An article support shelf is pivotallyconnected to a first side of the frame near the lower end thereof andadapted to pivot outwardly and downwardly away from the frame to agenerally horizontal position for supporting at least one article placedthereon in the second mode. A desk-top shelf is pivotally connected to asecond, opposite side of the frame near a top end thereof and adapted topivot outwardly and upwardly to a generally horizontal position to forma work desk in the third mode. Finally, a deployable foot support ispivotally connected to, and adapted for transverse, angular deploymentoutwardly from the second side of the frame near a bottom end thereof inthe third mode of operation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there are four modes ofoperation. In one mode, the assembly is collapsed and in a second, itmay be loaded with bags for rolling transport. In a third mode, thehandle extends upwardly from the desk-top shelf during use, while in afourth mode, the handle is collapsed to be flush with the desk topshelf. In one design embodiment, the deployable foot is angularlyconnected to a mounting brace in a corner region of the frame. Thedeployable foot comprises in this embodiment, an elongate bar thatpivots transversely outwardly and locks in position for providingstability to the assembly in the expanded, third and fourth modes,described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 comprises multiple perspective views of one embodiment of thepresent invention illustrating multiple modes of operation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventiontaken from a front side thereof and illustrating a collapsed mode ofoperation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 2 taken from adifferent angle and illustrating a rearward portion thereof, including abelt or strap secured thereacross and adapted for securement of an itemof luggage or the like thereon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 3 with the handlein an upwardly extended position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 4 with the handleremaining in the fully upwardly extending position and with a traysection assembly upwardly positioned thereupon;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 5 forillustrating the position of the tray assembly upwardly extendingthereon;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting brace disposed in alower section of the invention for facilitating securement of adeployable foot (to be discussed below);

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention of FIGS. 5 and 6 with thetray extended into a working configuration for supporting a laptopcomputer or the like thereupon;

FIG. 9 is an upwardly perspective view of the invention of FIG. 8 forillustrating the positioning of the tray and the telescoping features ofthe support struts therefore;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 9 taken from arearward position thereof and further illustrating the deployment of alower support shelf for support of luggage and/or other containersthereupon which may be further secured by the straps in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 10 with the handlerecessed into a position flush with the top surface of the work tray andwith a support foot deployed outwardly therefrom;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the extension of the supportfoot of FIG. 11 further illustrating its attachment to the supportbracket described above;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view taken from a lower section of theinvention of FIG. 12 further illustrating one embodiment of the mountingof the support foot to the mounting bracket described above; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the support tray taken froman underneath angle thereof further illustrating the assembly of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-14 in combination, there is shown an articlecarrier 10 in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.The carrier 10 includes wheels 12 for ease of transport and a lowersupport shelf 14 for receiving luggage or the like. As also shown inFIG. 1 in this illustration of multiple modes of operation of thepresent invention, the carrier 10 includes a work surface 16 and handle18 that may be extended for purposes of control and transport. Thehandle 18 extends via telescoping arms 22 that connect to a chassis 20.As shown in further illustrations in FIG. 1 as well as specific otherfigures between FIG. 2-14, the handle 18 may be extended for transportpurposes and may be retracted to a lower position for flush mountingwith the work surface 16. With the work surface 16 pivoted outwardly foruse as a tray, a computer or the like may be placed thereupon andstructurally stabilized and supported by virtue of a telescoping supportassembly 52 for stabilizing a work surface 16 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The work surface 16 in FIG. 1 andin other figures herein is shown in an elevated position in conjunctionwith the pivotally mounted, outwardly angularly oriented foot assembly50 wherein stabilization is afforded to the carrier 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembly 10 is shown in a first mode ofoperation wherein the assembly 10 is in a fully collapsed storageconfiguration. In this collapsed state, the assembly may be stored withminimal intrusion relative to other items and is particularly adaptedfor being placed in either an overhead storage area or under a seat in aconventional commercial aircraft.

Still referring to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the handle 18 is fullycollapsed relative to the top portion of the chassis 20 of the assembly10 such that the handle 18 does not extend outwardly therefrom anyappreciable distance. It is further seen that a strap or belt 30 isprovided for extending around a rearward side of the assembly 10 andsecuring lower shelf 14 as will be discussed further below. It can alsobe seen that the work surface 16 fits within chassis 20 in thiscollapsed mode of operation.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a rearward perspective view ofthe assembly 10 of the present invention wherein the belt or strap 30may be more clearly seen. In this particular embodiment, the belt orstrap 30 is shown to secure the lower shelf 14 of the assembly 10against the chassis 20 in a collapsed position to further facilitatestorage. Other means of securing the lower support shelf 14 against thechassis 20 are also contemplated such as, for example, a latch or asnap. In one embodiment, the two ends of the strap or belt 30 that arenot attached to the chassis 20 are connected with an interlockingmechanism 31. Other fastening means are contemplated such as, forexample, hook and loop fasteners. In the expanded condition shown inFIG. 1, the shelf 14 becomes a surface upon which luggage or the likemay be placed and secured by the belt 30. From this view, a lockingmechanism 15 can be seen on the bottom of the shelf 14. As will bedescribed below, when the shelf 14 is in a lowered position, the lockingmechanism 15 locks the shelf 14 into place. A release button can then bedepressed in order to raise the shelf 14 back against the chassis 20.Locking the shelf 14 into place helps to provide support to the entireassembly 10 and helps prevent the assembly 10 from tipping over.Supports 28 can also be seen on the bottom of the lower shelf 14. Thesesupports 28 help additionally stabilize the assembly 10 when the lowershelf is in the expanded condition as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodimentof the present invention, release button 19 must be depressed before thehandle 18 can be raised and the arms 22 extended.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of the assembly 10 withthe handle 18 extended upwardly therefrom. The telescopingcharacteristic of the arms 22 can be also be seen from this view. Whenfully extended, the arms 22 lock into the fully extended position sothat they will not unintentionally retract. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, release button 19 (not shown) must be depressedbefore the handle 18 can be lowered and the arms 22 retracted. Ringstoppers 23 can also be seen on each of the support arms 22. Thesestoppers 23 can be placed at any height, but in the embodiment shownthey are placed at the top of the first telescoping section of thesupport arms 22. The function of these stoppers 23 will be explainedbelow. In this particular configuration, the assembly 10 may be preparedfor the second mode of operation wherein the placement of a bag or thelike upon the shelf 14 as described above and shown in FIG. 1 may beprovided or the assembly of the desk top surface 16 may be facilitatedfor the third or fourth mode of operation where the desk-top surface 16is provided for support of an object, such as a computer thereon. Inthis particular view, the handle 18 is extended for purposes ofpreparing the cart for one of the two. The stabilizing foot 50 can alsobe seen running alongside the bottom edge of the chassis 20. When inthis position, the stabilizing foot 50 can be secured against thechassis 20 with a latching mechanism as will be described below.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the assembly 10 being further extended intoa position for the use thereof. In this particular view, the desk worksurface 16 is pivotally attached to sliding member 24 which has beenupwardly extended out of the chassis 20 along the telescoping members 22for positioning therealong and generally orthogonal extension outtherefrom for the placement of the computer laptop or the like thereonfor providing a work surface in accordance with one aspect of theprinciples in the present invention. Telescoping strut 52 may beattached to support brackets 54 so that it will slide up the supportbrackets 54 as the slide 24 is raised. Support bracket 54 is connectedto the chassis 20 with a plurality of screws 56 in order to distributethe weight of a load placed on the work surface 16. Additionally, thearms 22 are stabilized by sheaths 28. Similarly, the sheaths 28 mayextend to the bottom of the assembly 10 to transfer the load all the wayto the ground. When the work surface 16 is swung out to a positionperpendicular to the arms 22, there are three points supporting thedesk-top work surface 16: the two arms 22 held in place by sheaths 28and the angled support arm 52 supported by the brackets 54.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of the assembly10 of FIG. 5 further illustrating various aspects thereof. After therelease button 26 is depressed, slide 24 can be lifted to the top of thefirst section of the telescoping arms 22. The slide 24 locks into placeat the top of the first section and can only be lowered after therelease button 26 is depressed. The slide 24 can be raised until flushwith the bottoms of the ring stoppers 23, at which point, slide 24 locksinto place. In the embodiment shown, the ring stoppers 23 are located atthe top of the first telescoping section of the support arms 22, but thestoppers can be placed at any predetermined height. The stoppers 23prohibit the slide 24 from being raised to a height above a desiredheight. In one embodiment, the support arms 22 have holes located belowthe stopper rings 23 for the slide 24 to lock into. In otherembodiments, other locking mechanisms are contemplated for securing theslide 24 into place along the support arms 22. A foot 50 is provided tofurther stabilize the assembly 10 and to prevent the assembly fromtipping if too heavy of a load is placed on the work surface 16 or toolight of a load is placed on lower shelf 14. The foot 50 is attached tothe chassis 20 and is connected to the mounting base 58. The foot 50 canbe swung out and locked in place at an angle sufficient to stabilize theassembly 10 as will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view, of the mounting base 58connected to a corner of the chassis 20 of the assembly 10 for supportby a stabilization foot 50. The assembly 10 is prevented from tippingover by the support foot 50. The mounting base 58 is secured to thechassis 20 with a plurality of screws 60. In one embodiment, the chassis20 is formed from molded plastic, but other materials are contemplateddepending on desired characteristics. When the support foot 50 isextended out, any load put on work surface 16 will create a momentforce. The weight of a load placed on the work surface 16 is going tobear down on the arms 22 and the stabilization arm 52 causing acantilever effect upon the plastic chassis 20. The mounting base 58 isof a substantial expanse including multiple attachment points in orderto more uniformly distribute the stress of this loading. In essence, themounting base 58 transfers the load of the cantilevered shelf throughouta sufficient region of the chassis 20 to provide adequate support. Inorder to transfer the load from the metal mounting base 58 to theplastic chassis 20, multiple screw races are needed which must bespecially molded to prevent the plastic from cracking or the threadsfrom stripping. Additional support comes from the flanges 29 protrudingfrom sheath 28. The force applied to support foot 50 creates a downwardforce on the right side of the mounting base 58 which, in turn, createsan upward force on the left side of the mounting base 58. The flanges 29help distribute the load caused by these forces.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is a perspective view of the assembly 10and the third mode operation wherein the handle 18 is fully extendedupwardly, while the desk surface 16 is providing a configuration in aposition for the placement of an object, such as a computer laptop,thereon. In this view, it can be seen that the support arm 52 transferspart of the load from the work surface 16 to the support brackets 54.When the desk surface 16 is rotated outwardly to be substantiallyperpendicular to the support arms 22, the support arm 52 anglesoutwardly so that it is no longer parallel to the support arms 22. Thesupport arm 52 locks into place at the top of the support brackets 54 tohelp support the weight of a load being placed on the work surface 16.In one embodiment, a notched groove in the support brackets 53 locks thesupport arm 52 into place when it angles outwardly away from the supportarms 22 and is free to slide along support brackets 54 when it isparallel to support arms 22.

FIG. 9 is an upwardly perspective view. From here it can be seen thetelescoping nature of the support arm 52. Once the work surface 16 hasbeen orthogonally pivoted so that it is substantially perpendicular toboth the support arms 22 and the chassis 20, the support arm 52 locksinto place. It can also be seen that the work surface 16 is pivotallyconnected to the slide 24 that slides along the arms 22. The worksurface 16 can then only be lowered after depressing the release button64. From this view it can be seen that telescoping support arm 52 isattached to the bottom of the work surface 16 via attaching bracket 62.This bracket 62 slides within a slot in the bottom of work surface 16 toallow the assembly 10 to be more compactable in mode one.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a perspective view of the fullyextended assembly 10 of FIG. 9 with the shelf 14 placed laterallytransversely outwardly from chassis 20 with the belt 30 in a position tosecure an article of luggage or the like thereupon. It may be seen thatthe article of luggage secured thereupon can remain upon the shelf 14during use of the desk work surface 16. It can also be seen that handle18 is fully extended upwardly.

Further on to FIG. 11, there is shown the extension of the stabilizationfoot 50 beneath the extended work surface 16. In this position, thecantilever loading of an object placed on the work surface 16 istransferred through the telescoping struts 22 and the telescoping arm 52to the metal mounting member 58 that allows the support thereof. Thelatching member 66 on the end of stabilization foot 50 can also be seen.While the stabilization foot is not in use, it is secured against thechassis 20 by latching member 66. Latching member 66 must be depressedin order for stabilization foot 50 to be swung out away from chassis 20.It can also be seen that handle 18 has been pushed back down so that thetop of the handle 18 is at substantially the same level as the top ofthe work surface 16. This configuration allows an object to be placed onthe top of the work surface 16 without the interference of the handle 18or the telescoping arms 22.

Referring now to FIG. 12, it can be seen the attachment point betweenthe stabilizing foot 50 and the mounting base 58. The axle 68 on whichthe stabilization foot 50 rotates can also be seen. In one embodiment,the axle 68 is not parallel to the chassis 20 and the support arms 22,but instead the top of the axle 68 is tilted forward at an angle of afew degrees. Tilting the axle 68 forward allows the stabilization foot50 to provide support by having one end in contact with the ground whenextended away from the chassis 20 while the other end that is attachedto the mounting base 58 is not touching the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the underside of the chassis 20 where theattachment point of the stabilization foot 50 is located can be seen.When the stabilization foot is fully extended, the locking mechanism 70locks the stabilization foot 50 in place. The locking mechanism 70 mustbe depressed before the stabilization foot 50 can be pushed backalongside the bottom edge of the chassis 20. Additionally, the bottom ofthe axle 68 can be seen. By offsetting the axle 68, as shown, thestabilization foot 50 can be closed flush against the chassis 20 withoutcompromising any strength.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an underside of the work surface 16 can beseen from this view, it can be seen that the telescoping support arm 52is pivotally connected to the sliding attachment member 62. The slidingattachment member 62 slides in a groove in the bottom of the worksurface 16 according to whether the work surface 16 is parallel orperpendicular to support arms 22. The release button 64 must bedepressed in order for the sliding member 62 to be slid back towards thesupport arms 22, allowing the desk-top surface 16 to be swung down.

The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementingthe invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily belimited by this description. The scope of the present invention isinstead defined by the following claims.

1. A combined desk and article carrier assembly adapted for transportingat least one article in one mode and for serving as a work desk inanother mode, the assembly comprising: a chassis having upper and lowerends, the lower end having wheels and the upper end having first andsecond telescoping arms extending therefrom in generally parallel spacedrelationship; a handle connecting distal ends of the first telescopingarm and the second telescoping arm; a cross member disposed between thehandle and the chassis and having the first and second telescoping armsrunning therethrough in slidable engagement therewith; an articlesupport shelf connected to a first side of the chassis near the lowerend thereof for supporting at least one article placed thereon; adesk-top shelf pivotally connected to the cross member and adapted topivot outwardly and upwardly to a position generally orthogonal to thefirst and second telescoping arms to form a work desk.
 2. The assemblyof claim 1 and further comprising a telescoping strut with a first endpivotally connected to an underside of the desk-top shelf for securingthe desk-top shelf in the position generally orthogonal to the first andsecond telescoping arms.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a second endof the telescoping strut is slidably connected to the chassis viamounting brackets.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising adeployable foot connected to a corner region of the lower end of thechassis and adapted to angularly extend outwardly therefrom forstabilizing the chassis.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the articlesupport shelf is pivotally connected to the chassis and adapted toextend outwardly and downwardly therefrom.
 6. The assembly of claim 5wherein the article support shelf locks into place when pivoted to aposition generally orthogonal to the chassis.
 7. The assembly of claim 1wherein the desk-top shelf fits with at least a portion of the chassiswhen the cross member is disposed at a position along the first andsecond telescoping arms closest to the chassis.
 8. The assembly of claim1 wherein the cross member locks into place when the cross member isslid along the first and second telescoping arms to a predeterminedheight above the chassis.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the crossmember comprises a release button that must be depressed before thecross member can be slid up the first and second telescoping arms. 10.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle is adapted to be lowered to alevel substantially flush with a top surface of the desk-top shelf. 11.A combined desk and article carrier assembly adapted for transporting atleast one article in one mode and for serving as a work desk withloading thereupon in another mode, the assembly comprising: a chassisformed of plastic having upper and lower ends, the lower end havingwheels and the upper end having first and second telescoping armsextending therefrom; a handle connecting distal ends of the firsttelescoping arm and the second telescoping arm; an article support shelfconnected to a first side of the chassis near the lower end thereof forsupporting at least one article placed thereon; a mounting structuresecured across a surface area in a corner region near the lower end ofthe chassis and adapted to distribute loading forces thereacross; adeployable support foot pivotally connected to the mounting structureand adapted to angularly deploy outwardly from the chassis forstabilization thereof.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 and furthercomprising a desk-top surface slidably connected to the first and secondtelescoping arms and adapted to pivot outwardly and upwardly to aposition generally orthogonal to the first and second telescoping arms.13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the deployable support foot isadapted to run substantially parallel to a bottom edge of the secondside of the chassis and be secured thereagainst when not angularlydeployed.
 14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the deployable supportfoot pivots along a plane that is greater than or equal to ninetydegrees from the chassis.
 15. The assembly of claim 11 and furthercomprising an axle for connecting a first end of the deployable supportfoot to the mounting structure.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein atop end of the axle is a greater distance from the first and secondtelescoping arms than a bottom end of the axle for angling a second endof the deployable foot lower than the first end of the deployable foot.17. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the mounting structure is metal.18. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the mounting structure is securedacross a large enough surface area to prevent damage to the chassiscaused by a load placed on the desk-top surface.
 19. The assembly ofclaim 11 wherein the deployable foot locks into place when fullydeployed.
 20. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the mounting structuretransfers loading forces caused by a load placed on the desk-top surfaceto the deployable foot to prevent the chassis from tipping over.